Supreme Court blocs rarely wavered

The ideological divide was so evident this term that outcomes in most major cases could be nearly predicted. Once again, Justice Kennedy often cast the deciding vote in 5-4 decisions.
By David G. Savage
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

June 29, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ended its annual term last week just where it began: evenly divided between conservative and liberal blocs of four justices, with the deciding votes cast by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.

And this year, unlike last, the outcomes of cases seemed evenly split as well. Both liberal and conservative sides won major victories countered by stinging defeats.

The near-even split also carries an election-year message for voters about the power of the presidency to set the future direction of the high court.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has pledged to choose new justices who are like President Bush's two appointees: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.

By contrast, Democratic rival Barack Obama has pointed with favor to Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David H. Souter. The latter is a Republican and an appointee of President George H.W. Bush, although he votes regularly with the court's liberal bloc.

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